Sinn Féin calls for vote on Irish reunification if UK backs Brexit

If the United Kingdom voted in the 23 June 2016 referendum to leave the European Union this should lead to a border poll on a United Ireland, deputy first minister of Northern Ireland, Martin McGuinness, said on the 11 March 2016.

The former IRA chief-of-staff said there was a 'democratic imperative' to allow people on the island of Ireland to vote on reunification.

'Ireland’s place, north and south, is in Europe and leading change in Europe. If Britain votes to leave the European Union then that could have huge implications for the entire island of Ireland and, given all the predictions, would run counter to the democratic wishes of the Irish people'.

• Primary Source

Independent.ie, 11.03.16: Brexit should lead to United Ireland vote, insists Sinn Féin's Martin McGuinness http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/brexit-should-lead-to-united-ireland-vote-insists-sinn-fins-martin-mcguinness-34532618.html

Blog: IIEA, 11.03.16: Brexit – The Evolving Debate in Northern Ireland http://www.iiea.com/blogosphere/northern-ireland-debate-on-brexit

ESO: In Focus: Brexit - The United Kingdom and the European Union http://www.europeansources.info/record/brexit-the-united-kingdom-and-the-european-union/

ESO: Background information: PM: Northern Ireland is better off in a reformed EU http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-pm-northern-ireland-is-better-off-in-a-reformed-eu/

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